Former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) launched another campaign for Senate on Tuesday as Democrats feel increasingly optimistic about their chances in the Lone Star State in 2026.
“I’m announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to lower costs and stop corrupt politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton from rigging the economy against hardworking Texans,” Allred said in his announcement video.
Allred, a former professional football player, enters the Democratic primary as Cornyn and Paxton duke it out in what could turn out to be one of the most bruising Republican primaries ahead of 2026.
“Politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are too corrupt to care about us and too weak to fight for us,” Allred said in his announcement. “I know Washington is broken. The system is rigged, but it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Allred ran for Senate against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) last year, losing his bid by just more than 8 points. However, Democrats say they are feeling more optimistic ahead of 2026, given the divisive primary that is emerging between Cornyn and Paxton. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) is also said to be considering a bid and to have spoken to the White House about a potential run.
Most polls show Paxton leading Cornyn ahead of the February primary. But other polls show Democrats within striking distance of Paxton in a general election. A poll released by Texas Southern University last month showed Cornyn leading Allred by 4 points and Paxton leading Allred by 2. A separate poll released by the Senate Leadership Fund, which is supporting Cornyn, showed Cornyn leading Allred by 6 points, while Hunt led Allred by 4 and Paxton trailed him by 1.
Democrats have begun to ramp up their spending in the city ahead of 2026. Texas Majority PAC and the Texas Democratic Party launched an eight-figure campaign dubbed “Blue Texas” last week aimed at electing Democrats up and down the ballot in the Lone Star State next year.
Allred is the second Democrat to jump into the race. Earlier this month, former NASA astronaut and retired Air Force Col. Terry Virts jumped into the primary. In his announcement, Virts positioned himself as a Washington outsider.
“Trump’s chaos must be stopped. The corruption is overwhelming. Our Constitution is under attack,” Virts said in his launch video.
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